belay
verb (used with object)
to fasten (a rope) by winding around a pin or short rod inserted in a holder so that both ends of the rod are clear.
belaying
-
present participleof belay.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I was belaying my friend when he came over and said the word, “Hi.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 22, 2024
Lead climbing and belaying a leader are more advanced skills.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 2, 2021
Joshua went ahead belaying by rope and fixing ice-pins.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 8, 2018
Rope is looped around metal dowels called belaying pins that sit in a horizontal steel bar called a pin rail.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 26, 2017
Also, the rail round the main-mast, and encircling both it and the pumps, furnished with belaying pins for the running rigging, though now obsolete under the iron rule.
From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Sir Edward Belcher
